Folding rocking-chair



(N 0 Model.)

J. E. WAKEFIELD. Folding Rocking G-hair.

No. 240,793. Patented April 2'6,1ssm.-

UNITED STATES PATE T OFFICE.

JOHN E. WAKEFIELD, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDING ROCKING-CHAIR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 240,793, dated April 26, 1881.

Application filed February 21, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOHN E. WAKEFIELD, of Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Folding Rockin g-Ohairs, of which the following is a specification.

In Letters Patent No. 156,041, granted to E. F.Russell, the front leg of the rocking-chair is pivoted to the rocker and to the back, and the back leg is made in two parts hingedtogether and to the rockers; and in Letters Patent No. 179,980, granted to me, similar front and back legs are used, except that the back legs extend direct to the rocker, and links connect these parts. In the first-named patent the seat-frame was rigid, and in the latter a flexible seat was strained by a hinged seat-frame.

My present invention relates to the combination, withthe front legs, back frame, and

rockers, ot'links connected between the back legs and rockers in such a manner that when the chair is unfolded for use the pivots between the back legs and the links pass below a plane running through the joints of the front legs to the rockers and the joints of the links to the rockers, so that the strain upon the seat, tending to draw the back legs toward the front legs, keeps the lower ends of the back legs firmly into contact with the rockers, because the links have an upward inclination and the chair cannot fold until the rockers are pushed away from the back legs, and the toggle-joints formed by the links and rockers swing downwardly belowtheline or plane passing through the joints at the lower ends of the legs. By this improvement the chair is rendered very firm while in use.

In the drawings, Figure l is a vertical section of the chair in position for use. Fig. 2 is a front elevation, and Fig. 3 is an elevation, partially folded. I

The froutlegs, a a, are pivoted at their lower ends,s, to the rockers b, and at their upper ends to the back 0, as in said Patent No. 156,041, and the back 0 is of any desired character, formed with rails, rings, webbing, or cushions, and the lower ends of the back legs rest upon the-rockers, as in saidPatentNo. 179,980. The front legs and the rockers should be strengthened by stretchers or rails. I have shown such at d and e.

The seat in this chair is preferably of flexible material, such as carpet, and it is attached at the back to the rail f and at the front to the cross-rail or bearer g. I have shown this bearer g as a roller screwed to the front edges of the front legs; but the same may be mortised into the frontlegs orattached in any convenient manner, such as by projecting irons, one at each end.

The links it connect the back legs to the rockers. l have shown the plates 1 as screwed to the legs and extending down inside of the rockers to the joints 1', and the joints 0, at the other ends of the links it, as connecting with the plates a, that are screwed upon the rockers and extend above their upper edges.

It will now be apparent that when the chair is unfolded for use a straight line or plane passing through the joints .9 and 0 will pass above the joints 2', as indicated by the dotted lines, and that when the rockers are pressed down in folding the chair thejoints eomeinto line before the chair can fold, and inso doing the chair-seat is strained more tightly than it is when in use; and when the parts are in the normal position for use the strain on the seat, tending to draw the back legs toward the front legs, also acts by the toggle-links to keep the rockers firmly against the back legs, and the chair does not fold either accidentall y or when being lifted from. place to place.

The links it may be made of any desired ornamental configuration.

I claim as my invention- The combination, with the rockers and front legs, pivoted together, of back legs, pivoted to the front legs, and links connecting the back legs and rockers, the pivots of the said links being arranged in the manner specified, whereby when the chair is set up for use the pivots 0 are above a plane passing through the pivots s and i, for the purposes and as set forth.

Signed by me this 15th day of February, A. D. 1881.

JOHN E. WAKEFIELD.

Witnesses:

FRED J. BARNARD, JAMEs J. Down. 

